Code Enforcement Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need a permit to have a garage sale?

No. Garage sales may be held a total of four (4) times a year, and only merchandise belonging to the owner may be sold. A single garage sale may extend a maximum of three (3) consecutive days. Signs shall not be erected more than one (1) day in advance of a proposed sale. Garage sale signs shall be promptly removed by sunset on the last day of the sale.

Garage sale signs may NOT be attached to any traffic or parking control device, tree, street light or utility pole, or placed so as to obstruct public sidewalks. Signs should be placed on a stake and placed into the ground. The signs may be no larger that three (3) square feet in area and no taller than four (4) feet in height.

Signs posted illegally will be removed.

2. How can I dispose of large items (refrigerators, couches, beds, etc.)?

All City residents receive two complimentary bulky item pick-ups per year, with a maximum of three items per pick-up. Additional pick-ups are available at a fee. To schedule a bulky item pick-up, please contact CR&R Water Services at:

CR&R - Stanton
11292 Western Avenue
Stanton, CA 90680
Customer Service (714) 372-8272

NOTE: televisions, computer monitors, and radios are not available for pick-up through CR&R Waste Services.

Attention: Residents disposing of a refrigerator are asked to remove the doors before placing it out for pick-up to remove any potential hazard.

3. Where can I dispose of Hazardous Waste?

17121 Nichols Street, Huntington Beach, CA
6411 Oak Canyon, Irvine, CA

Orange County residents may dispose of household hazardous waste at the Collection Centers for FREE. The Collection Centers are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 3 PM. The centers are closed on rainy days, Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving and Independence Day.

What is hazardous waste?

Hazardous waste is anything which is not environmentally friendly, which includes, but is not limited to the following items:

Latex and oil base paint, antifreeze, batteries, used oil, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, hobby supplies, lumber and furniture.

The collection centers DO NOT accept the following:

• Asbestos, batteries, brake linings
• Chemicals, fuel tanks, mufflers
• Poisons, hazardous waste, animal parts
• Body parts, medical wastes, radioactive material
• Auto body shredder wastes, fuels, heavy metals
• Explosives, pesticides, contaminated soil
• Liquid waste (moisture content 50% or greater)
• Nuisance dust
• Cathode Ray Tubes (computer monitors & television sets)
• Chemically treated wood waste (exception for Prima Deshecha Landfill if immediately buried)
• Tires

If you have additional questions, please contact the Integrated Waste Management District at (714) 834-4000 and ask to speak to a Materials Regulation Specialist (or) you can visit www.oclandfills.com.

4. Can I keep a portable basketball hoop (or) other sporting equipment on the sidewalk (or) in the street?

No. It is prohibited to place any obstruction of any kind in or upon any public street, alley, sidewalk or other public property.

5. What are the regulations on trash cans?

Trash containers may be placed curbside or in the gutter, not earlier than twenty-four (24) hours before collection and must be removed within twenty-four (24) hours after collection.

All trash containers, both residential and commercial, must be shielded from view within a building or area enclosed by a wall not less than six (6) feet in height.

6. Who can I call regarding a barking dog?

Please visit http://www.ocpetinfo.com/barking_dog.htm for the County of Orange’s Barking Dog Procedure (or) contact the County of Orange Animal Control at (714) 935-6848.

7. I operate a business in the City of Tustin. Can I post a temporary banner in front of my business?

Yes, but a temporary sign permit is required prior to installing the banner. A temporary banner may be up for a maximum of thirty (30) days in a ninety (90) day period. The cost of the permit is $95.00 per quarter issuance. The property owner’s written approval to install the banner must accompany the temporary sign permit.

Only one banner may be installed per street frontage (or) in the case of a multi-tenant building, one banner may be installed per storefront. As a substitute for a wall-mounted banner sign, one (1) pole-mounted banner sign per property street frontage is permitted.

8. Noise Regulations

Noise created by a property owner

Noise sources created by an owner and in association with the maintenance, repair, remodeling, grading and landscaping of residential real property is permitted between the hours of 7am and 9pm.

Noise created by a property maintenance business

Noise sources created by property maintenance equipment, the use of which is attended by loud or unusual noise, is prohibited in residentially zoned areas any and all hours on Sunday and City observed federal holidays, before 7am and after 6pm Monday through Friday, and before 9am and after 5pm on Saturdays. In commercial and industrially zoned areas, the use of property maintenance equipment is prohibited any and all hours on Sundays and City observed federal holidays, before 7am and after 10pm Monday through Friday, and before 9am and after 10pm on Saturdays.

Construction Hours

The erection, demolition, alteration, repair, excavation, grading, paving or construction of any building or site is prohibited between the hours of 6pm and 7am, Monday through Friday and 5pm and 9am on Saturdays and during all hours Sundays and City observed federal holidays.

9. Water Quality

Can I drain my pool water into the street?

Yes, as long as the residual chlorine does not exceed 0.1 mg/L (parts per million), the pH is between 6.5 and 8.5 and the water is free of any unusual coloration. Discharge of filter media or acid cleaning wastes is prohibited within the storm drain system.

Home Repairs

• Contain all paint. Never wash down or pour paint into the storm drain system.
• Rinse off cement mixers and cement laden tools in a contained washout area that can not flow into the storm drain system. Allow the cement to dry, then discard with your household trash.
• All dirt, sand, gravel, rock or other inorganic material shall be properly contained on-site at all times, such that wind or rain does not carry it off-site and into the storm drain system.

10. My neighbor’s swimming pool is green, what can be done?

All swimming pools, ponds, spas (or) other bodies of water or excavations shall be maintained as to not create a health hazard. Please Contact Code Enforcement at (714) 573-3134, 3135 or 3149.

Orange County Vector Control can also assist in educating and abating any potential health concern with un-maintained bodies of water. Orange County Vector Control can be reached at (714) 971-2421, (949) 654-2421 (or) at www.ocvcd.org/index.php.

11. Abandoned Vehicles

Vehicles are being parked on the public street and do not move?

A vehicle can be parked on a public street for up to 72 hours at a time per the California Vehicle Code. The Tustin Police Department enforces parking on the street and can be reached at (714) 573-3225.

12. Who do I call if I have a concern with a mobile home?

Please contact the office of the mobile home ombudsman, with the State of California. The office of Mobile home Ombudsman receive and process complaints from the public and from public officials related to living in manufactured homes and mobile homes. They enforce the operation, installation, inspection, and maintenance or alteration of manufactured homes, mobile home accessory structures, and park grounds.

They CAN Assist You With Questions Or Complaints On Many Issues, such as:

• Mobilehome park health and safety issues such as unsafe electrical, sewer, gas or water systems.
• Manufactured home unlawful or unfair sales practices by dealers or salespersons, some private parties, escrow companies, and unlicensed persons.
• New manufactured home warranty, sales contract, and installation issues.
• Mobilehome Residency Law copies and information only on where to obtain assistance for lease, management, or rent disputes.
• Manufactured home owner title, registration, fees, alteration, repair, and sales information.
• Compensation for certain mobilehome and manufactured home sales for warranty, fraud and misrepresentations.

They CANNOT Assist You With Certain Other Issues, such as:

• Unfair or illegal management practices by mobilehome park management.
• Rent or fee increases or disputes.
• Enforcement of the Mobilehome Residency Law civil matters.
• Used manufactured home and mobilehome warranty claims , unless contractual.

Complaints can be mailed to: PO Box 31, Sacramento, CA 95812-0031 (or) if you need further assistance, please call (800)-952-5275.

13. What are regulations for real estate signs?

Please click here for the Adopted Sign Code Changes for Real Estate Professionals.

14. Have another question?

Please contact Code Enforcement at (714) 573-3134/3135/3149.